One of the borough’s longest-running Sunday football clubs is preparing to pay homage to its founder this weekend with an emotional charity match at Cantley Park.

The Ship FC has existed in many guises through the years, most recently The Metropolitan and Barn Rangers, before reverting to its current name in 2010.

However, the club was originally formed by Raymond Parker back in the 80s as Norreys Barn, a team for people who lived in and around the Norreys Avenue estate.

And this Sunday’s match at Cantley (10.30am kick-off) will pay tribute to founder, ex-manger and all-round club legend Mr Parker, who sadly died of pneumonia last month aged 69.

The Ship’s current team, who play in the Bracknell Town & District Sunday League Premier Division, will go up against a team of former players, before the two teams head back to The Ship pub on Peach Street to celebrate the life of the man who founded their club.

All the money raised throughout the day will then be donated to the intensive care unit at the Royal Berks Hospital, where Mr Parker was treated during his illness.

Wokingham council has waved the pitch and changing room fees for the game as a result, and a large number of people who have been associated with the club down the years are expected to turn out and pay their respects.

Mr Parker spent his entire life as a resident of Norreys Avenue, and managed the Sunday team until five years ago, when currrent club secretary Mark Higgins took over the reins.

And even when he gave up his duties, Mr Parker could still be found on the sidelines down at the team’s home gound on Elizabeth Road, cheering on the boys.

And current boss Higgins admits the club stalwart’s presence on matchdays will be sorely missed when the new Sunday League season starts in September.

“I’ve been manager for five years now, and every game, home or away, he would be there supporting us, rain or shine,” he said.

“He would give anyone the time of day and was a genuinely, really nice person.

“He was always there to give advice and certainly didn’t shy away from giving his opinions on referees either!”

Some of the most abiding memories of Mr Parker, however, are held by those who played under his rather unique managerial style during the early years of the club.

One such player was Charlie Sharp, who played almost every position for the club after switching to Norreys Barn back in the early 90s.

In those days, the club had a real community feel, with four sets of Norreys-based brothers, the Stiffs, Turtons, Skinners, and Sharps, a set of step brothers, as well as Mr Parker’s son Mark all playing in the team.

“It was a real family-run club,” said 40-year-old Sharp, who now lives on Bean Oak Road.

“Ray was always good fun and was a real laugh – we would always have a few pints after the game.

“He would always have a cigarette on the go and if it was a particularly cold morning, he would have a brandy at half-time.

“His tactics were whoever turned up first would get a game, and whoever put the nets up would definitely get a game.

“When we played, the lads did take it seriously, but sometimes it was comical the way things were run.”

Anyone wishing to pay their respects can either go along to the match on Sunday morning, or if they can’t make the match, visit The Ship afterwards.

— The Ship/Norreys Barn Old Boys XI are still in desperate need for a kit for Sunday’s game.

If anyone can help them out, please contact Charlie Sharp on 07429 876119 or email charliesharp72@yahoo.co.uk